GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids school board says it opposes the recommendations to re-write the School Aid Act that members say is "based on a voucher-like system that does not fund public education based on student need."

The objection to the Lansing-based Oxford Foundation report is included in the board's legislative platform. The district is recommending that a new, bi-partisan committee with broad representation be appointed with clear goals, timelines, and outcomes with a high level of transparency and public involvement.

"The Board acknowledges that there is a need to strengthen and improve how public education is funded in Michigan to ensure equity, fairness, while also protecting the values of Proposal A, but it must be based on the academic needs of each individual student and the resources necessary to ensure every child reaches their academic potential," according to the board.

"If our goal is for every child to graduate from high school college and career ready, then how we fund schools should be based on ensuring the resources are dedicated and weighted based on individual student need."

The platform cites examples to drive home the point, including high poverty students starting kindergarten one or two years behind peers in more affluent areas, and the additional resources needed to bring that child to proficiency.

The district is also asking lawmakers not to make them fight yet again this year to keep special grants to help educate high poverty and high needs students from being eliminated or cut, including for bilingual education, special education services and small class size funding for at-risk students.

While Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell Township, and other members of the local delegation helped the district avoid some cuts last year, the district still lost $1.5 million in grants.

The board is asking for restoration of the grants that provide revenue to support the additional costs for federal and state mandated educational services for at-risk youth, English Language Learners, special education students, and more.

The board is opposing legislation that would eliminate local control and decision making related to school choice offerings and opportunities, opposing a bill (HB 5923) by Rep. Lisa Lyons, R-Alto, which would create new forms of schools and expand online education.

"The Grand Rapids Board of Education strongly opposes HB 5923 as it would create a free-for-all system that dilutes accountability, transparency, and quality teaching and learning," according to the platform that also opposes the “parent trigger” for school choice.

"School choice decisions should remain local with emphasis on the academic need of students. Students in persistently low performing schools should be provided the first right of refusal for open choice seats."

The board has commended Lyons for working with the district on some changes to her Education Achievement Authority bill that takes into account districts such as Grand Rapids that are being proactive about improving achievement in its Priority Schools and shoring up finances. That legislation to expand the reform district has stalled.

The district is also looking for more money for after-school programs. Prior to the start of the school year, the district had to inform parents with students in the LOOP before- and after-school programs at Congress Elementary, Palmer Elementary, Shawnee Park, Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy they could not be maintained due to cuts in funding.

This school year GRPS has 14 sites serving nearly 1,100 students that will be up for funding renewal. According to the district, after school programs have been shown to improve school attendance, social behaviors and learning and are a needed resource for children and working parents in the community.

"While GRPS will re-apply to the Michigan Department of Education for 21st Century Community Learning Center funds, we are extremely concerned that we will see again further reductions in funding," according to the platform, which says it is critical that Gov. Rick Snyder and the state maintain and increase funding through both MDE and Department of Social Services.

The school board stood with its teachers union in opposing the right to work legislation signed into law this week.